Leeds have 'rolled over' too often, says Smith

ALAN SMITH accused Leeds of "rolling over" and lacking fight too often this season as he confirmed he would leave his hometown club if they are relegated from the Premiership.

But Smith declared his intention to guide Leeds to safety and, while he knows his future lies in the hands of the new owners, he hopes to stay with the club in the top flight next season.

"If we go down, then obviously it will be time to move on, for the sake of my England career as well. But never have I come out and said that I'd leave if we stayed up," he declared.

"If we stay in the Premiership, who knows? This is the club that I've always wanted to play for. It's probably out of my hands already though. Whoever is in charge now will probably have decided already whether I stay or go in the summer, irrespective of whether we stay up."

Smith is valued more highly by fans than even Mark Viduka or Paul Robinson, and losing him would be the cruellest blow of all.

Leeds have just eight games left to save themselves from the drop, starting in a crucial encounter with Leicester on Monday.

Smith will, as ever, be giving his all for the club he supports but the question remains will all of his team-mates be doing the same?

"It hurts me as much as the fans. This has always been my club and it's probably inspired me more than anyone else to keep performing well.

"Even though we've not done well over the past few years, I've probably been the most consistent player we've had, week in and week out.

"I've never let it get me down, to be honest. Once that happens, you're no good to the team or anybody else."

Instead of battling for their Premiership lives though, too many other Leeds players have accepted defeat too easily this season. They have conceded four goals against Everton and Birmingham, as well as six at Portsmouth. A similar surrender against relegation rivals Leicester cannot be allowed to happen.

"We just can't get two back-to-back wins. We got a good result against Manchester City and then went to Birmingham, full of confidence and expecting to win," he said. "We couldn't have had a better start than going 1-0 up after three minutes but we seemed to lack a bit of fight.

"That's something that has been missing all season. We just seem to roll over in games."

Smith believes it is all too easy to blame the club's relegation plight on their financial woes and uncertain future before the recent takeover.

"Circumstances are circumstances. You get on with them as a player. If something isn't going right in any sport, surely it should make you stronger as a team," he added.

"Sometimes we've shown that in games and other times we haven't.

"There's been fight in some games against Manchester United and Charlton away, and Liverpool and Fulham at home where we've played good football and battled hard as well. Then there have been games where we've rolled over.

"As long as the club has a future, that's the main thing. Whether we're in the Premiership or Nationwide League, then as long as the club is still going, I'll be happy."